Local Crags

CATHEDRAL LEDGE

No part of the base of the cliff is more than a couple hundred yards from the road. Furthermore, an auto road goes around the back of the ledge to a parking area just a few yards from the lookout at the top of The Prow in the center of the cliff. Once on the top, a new accessible hiking trail leads to a view of the valley. Trails leading to climbing areas may be steep, rocky and narrow.

Parking: There is parking alongside Cathedral Ledge Road. Look for the pullouts and please do not block the street. Follow all posted signage. Please consider making a donation to the state park at any of the three donation canisters, “Iron Rangers,” along Cathedral Ledge Rd. or at the summit. There is also parking at the top of the cliff.

Get directions to Cathedral Ledge State Park

WHITEHORSE LEDGE

From the White Mountain Hotel parking area (see below) walk up the road and find the trail in the corner of the main parking lot. The slabs will be in front of you another trail takes you south through the wood to access the south buttress. Trails leading to climbing areas may be steep, rocky and narrow. Length of approach varies. Many routes end at the top of the cliff and require a moderate-steep decent with large steps to return to the base of the cliff.

Parking: The area beneath Whitehorse Ledge is part of Hales Location, a private development. The owners of the White Mountain Hotel and the Hales Location development request that climbers not park in the guest parking lot of the hotel or on the various roads and developments around the golf course. The White Mountain Hotel has provided a parking lot for climbers in the maintenance area below the hotel. Another option is to park below Cathedral Ledge. In this case, park on the left side of Cathedral Ledge Road as it bends to the north underneath the cliff, just opposite the last of the small roads on the right. Although the Cathedral option adds a few minutes onto the approach, it can save some time at the end of the day since the decent trail comes down this vicinity. For the White Mountain Hotel parking option: Take a left on West Side Road and continue for 1.0 miles, then turn right into Hales Location. Take the first right and drive along beside the golf course. When the road curves up toward the hotel, go straight into a maintenance area and park on the left.

Get directions to White Mountain Hotel

Get directions to Cathedral Ledge Road

HUMPHREY’S LEDGE

From the parking area, walk down the road a few yards and turn into a break in the crash barrier. Follow a faint trail that goes along the right bank of the stream bed in the valley below Humphrey’s. After a couple hundred yards, cross to the left bank and continue to a swampy area. Walk around the swampy area to reach a big boulder field. There is no real trail through the boulder field, just meander up and around the huge blocks, trending slightly left and eventually going up a steep, dirt slop to reach the cliff near its right side.

Parking: About 2.2 miles to the north of its junction with River Road, West Side Road goes around a broad bend underneath Humphrey’s Ledge. Park on the sandy shoulder on the west side of the road, opposite the Lady Blanche House.

Get directions to Humphrey’s

SUNDOWN AREA - LOWER KANCAMANGUS

All cliffs and boulders can be approached via the Boulder Loop Trail - a well marked and maintained hiking trail. The Boulder Loop Trail itself is relatively flat and 2-4 feet wide in most places. Climber approach trails may be steep, rocky and narrow. There are upper, lower and mid tiers to the climbing areas. Length of approach varies.

Parking: Park at the Boulder Loop Trailhead parking area. This is the large asphalt lot on the right about 100 yards down the Passaconaway Road from Albany Covered Bridge.

Get directions to Boulder Loop Trailhead